'A Senseless Criminal Doing a Senseless Crime.' At Least 5 People Are Dead After a Mass Shooting at a Florida Bank

A gunman killed at least five people at a Florida bank branch before he barricaded himself inside Wednesday, police said.

Zephen Xaver, 21, is in custody following the shooting, which happened about 12:30 p.m. at the SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Fla., according to authorities. Xaver was a former prison guard trainee who recently relocated from Indiana to Florida, the Associated Press reports.

Investigators said a standoff ensued after the gunman called police from inside the bank to tell them he had opened fire. After initial negotiations failed and Xaver refused to leave the premises, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team entered the building and continued negotiating with him. Xaver later surrendered to the SWAT team, according to the sheriff’s office.

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Police advised co-workers and family members of those who were at SunTrust Bank on Wednesday to go to Inn on the Lakes, specifying that only colleagues and family were to report there.

Florida representatives said they were briefed on the shooting. Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted Wednesday that he’d spoken to authorities regarding the shooting.

Spoke to both Sheriff Paul Blackman and FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen regarding the tragic shooting in Sebring and offered all the support they may need. Casey and I are praying for the victims and their families.